Architectural Daylighting - Solar Shading Interior

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Interior Light Shelf

Why should you add an interior light shelf to the curtain wall or clerestory window-glazing package?

The interior light shelf performs two functions. First, it acts as a solar shading product while the sun is at its highest peak during the period of time that solar heat gain occurs most, from late spring until early fall. Secondly, it acts as a solar reflector by gathering natural daylighting at the window and re-directing it farther into the interior of the room thereby reducing the need for artificial lighting during peak daylight hours.

What makes the light shelves Architectural Daylighting produces different from factory curtain wall and window manufacturers light shelves?

The curtain wall and window manufacturers that do produce light shelves typically offer them in flat, horizontal profiles that project inwards only 18" to 24" from the vertical plane of the window. The surface of the their light shelf is typically made from a reflective piece of metal that does not allow light to penetrate. The uniqueness of the Architectural Daylighting design stems from its radius design and reflective glazing for the light shelf. A flat surface can only reflect light in one plane. As light enters the window on a typical system, that light is reflected upwards at the mirror image of the angle it enters the building. But with an Architectural Daylighting Light Shelf, it will refract at many different angles along its curved surface, allowing more light rays to penetrate farther into the space with greater light transmission thereby reducing the need for higher levels of artificial lighting. Also, Architectural Daylighting uses Inflective Glazing™ in its light shelves. This product allows translucent natural light to pass thru the light shelf to prevent shadows from occurring adjacent to the shelf unlike in traditional light shelves which cannot allow natural lighting to pass thru due to its non-translucent metallic surface. The Inflective Glazing Light Shelf™ can be made to any projection size that is required for the design condition. Call our solar shading team to assist you with the design of your Green Building project.